No code violation in appointment of two Dy CMs in Goa: CEO

The election authorities in Goa Thursday ruled that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant did not violate the model code of conduct by appointing two deputy chief ministers in the state.

The Goa Congress had earlier filed a complaint alleging that Sawant had violated the code of conduct by appointing deputy chief ministers.

Talking to reporters, Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kunal said the appointment, which was done by the order of Governor Mridula Sinha, was legitimate as it was within her Constitutional powers.

"The order was an exercise of constitutional powers by the governor. The governor is well within her constitutional powers. We have given a report to the Election Commission (EC) that no further action needs to be taken in the matter and they have accepted our report," he said.

"The government formation process is out of the purview of the model code of conduct and it is guided by the Constitution of India. The code is with regards to any new appointments within the government departments," Kunal said.

The code of conduct came into force from March 10 evening after the EC announced the Lok Sabha election schedule.

In Goa, elections are scheduledto be held on April 23.

After the death of Manohar Parrikar, Dr Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the new chief minister on March 19.

On March 20, the governor had issued an order appointing Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai as the deputy chief ministers.

However, within a week, Dhavalikar was dropped from the cabinet and replaced by Manohar Ajgaonkar as the deputy chief minister.

The state Congress, in its submission to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, said the government should not have announced any decision, which could influence the voters after the code of conduct came into force.

The EC should "immediately set aside" the order appointing deputy chief ministers and take action against the officer concerned and the state government for violation of the Code of Conduct, Congress leader Trajano D'Mello said in the petition.